The Orlando Magic snapped a six-game dropping streak Thursday, barely getting by the lowly Sacramento Kings. They began a brand new dropping streak Sunday with an embarrassing 139-87 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
A tough fortnight for the Magic hit a brand new low when the Raptors scored 31 straight factors towards them within the first two quarters. The Magic went scoreless for almost 9 minutes. Once they lastly did, they had been down 25 factors and dealing with massive questions on their playoff future.
Magic’s vaunted protection is falling aside
The Magic’s success within the final three seasons has been primarily based on their elite protection. That they had the second-best defensive ranking within the NBA the final two seasons, however within the final two weeks, the staff has had the fifth-worst protection within the league.
They’ve given up 130 factors or extra 3 times throughout this 1-7 streak. On Sunday, the Raptors had been lacking two of their prime 4 scorers and nonetheless hung 139 factors on the Magic. Their beginning 5 shot 30-of-48 from the sector and mixed for 31 assists, with Scottie Barnes delivering 15 and Jamal Shead handing out 10 dimes.
Nonetheless, it was the Magic’s offense that was worse on Sunday. They dedicated 27 turnovers towards 20 assists, and shot 9-of-38 from three-point vary. Paolo Banchero had scored 30 or extra factors in three straight video games, however put up solely 9 towards the Raptors with 5 turnovers.
